constructive dismissal

British

noun

a course of action taken by an employer that is detrimental to an employee and designed to leave the employee with no option but to resign

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This week an employment tribunal ruled she was entitled to £23,500 compensation from the trust, which said it was disappointed with the constructive dismissal ruling.

From BBC • May 11, 2025

A "gifted" NHS nurse who was deliberately left out of a tea round by a colleague who said "I don't like you" has won a claim for unfair constructive dismissal at an employment tribunal.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2025

Ms Wight is now suing The Christie for constructive dismissal.

From BBC • Sep. 12, 2023

If any one of these staff came to my surgery I’d urge them to take a case for constructive dismissal, not sign a non disclosure agreement.

From The Guardian • Jul. 11, 2019

Alan Sugar, who is accused of constructive dismissal.

From The Guardian • Mar. 7, 2013

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023